Liverpool produced a stunning performance at Anfield on Sunday to demolish their arch-rivals Manchester United with an incredible 7-0 victory. The Reds’ front three of Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo, and Mohamed Salah were in scintillating form, with each of them scoring a brace, while Roberto Firmino added a late seventh goal to complete a historic triumph over their bitter rivals.
From the outset, Liverpool showed real intent and began pushing forward with great purpose. However, it was Man Utd’s Antony who had the first shot of the game, which forced fellow Brazilian Alisson Becker into making a smart save with his strike from outside the penalty area.
Liverpool’s persistent pressure almost paid off in the 22nd minute when Andrew Robertson delivered a superb cross into the path of Nunez, who was unable to make a telling connection on the ball, allowing Lisandro Martinez to clear it for a corner.
Nunez then had a chance to make an impact at the other end of the pitch, but he failed to mark his man on the left flank, allowing Diogo Dalot to cross the ball into the back post for Bruno Fernandes, who couldn’t keep his diving headed effort on target.
Towards the end of the first half, Gakpo broke the deadlock for Liverpool, latching onto a well-timed pass from Robertson and curling the ball into the bottom right corner of the net.
Liverpool continued their dominance after the break and quickly made it 2-0 with Nunez heading in an Elliott cross from the back post, capitalizing on Man Utd’s poor defending.
The home side then added a third goal moments later, with Gakpo finding the net again after a brilliant slide-through pass from Salah. Konate then missed a chance to make it 4-0 before the hour mark.
But Liverpool didn’t have to wait long to extend their lead as Salah turned on the style to score the fourth goal, following a deflected pass inside the penalty area.
Incredibly, Liverpool then scored three more goals, with Nunez grabbing his second, and Salah adding his brace before substitute Firmino scored the seventh goal.
Liverpool player ratings
CM – Fabinho – 7/10 – Controlled possession in the middle of the park.
CM – Harvey Elliott – 7/10 – Impressed with his quality on the ball in midfield.
RW – Mohamed Salah – 10/10 – Bagged a great assist and a brace. Great performance.
ST – Cody Gakpo – 9/10 – His best performance at Liverpool to date. Two wonderful goals and cause Man Utd’s defence a whole host of problems throughout.
LW – Darwin Nunez – 9/10 – Worked hard and reaped the rewards for that hard work with a goal just after half-time.
SUB – Roberto Firmino – 7/10 – Bagged the seventh.
SUB – Stefan Bajcetic – N/A.
SUB – Diogo Jota – N/A.
SUB – James Milner – N/A.
Man Utd player ratings
GK – David de Gea – 2/10 – Conceded seven. That’s bad.
RB – Diogo Dalot – 2/10 – He didn’t have a clue what to do up against Nunez and Robertson.
CB – Raphael Varane – 2/10 – Struggled with the moment of Liverpool’s front three.
CB – Lisandro Martinez – 2/10 – Turned inside out by Salah in the lead up to the third.
LB – Luke Shaw – 3/10 – Couldn’t get near Salah.
DM – Casemiro – 1/10 – Surprisingly poor showing.
DM – Fred – 1/10 – A non-entity.
RM – Antony – 3/10 – Gave it a go in the first half, then barely touched the ball in the second.
AM – Bruno Fernandes – 0/10 – Should’ve scored when it was 0-0. Terrible after that.
LM – Marcus Rashford – 2/10 – His quietest performance since before the World Cup.
ST – Wout Weghorst – 1/10 – Not effective at all.
SUB – Scott McTominay – 0/10 – Hopeless.
SUB – Alejandro Garnacho – 1/10 – We don’t think he touched the ball.
SUB – Marcel Sabitzer – N/A.
SUB – Tyrell Malacia – N/A.
SUB – Anthony Elanga – N/A.
